Month: March 2020

To All PART of Westford Members,

In light of guidance from the State of Massachusetts regarding older adults having a higher risk related to COVID-19, and avoidance of mass gatherings, the March PART meeting is canceled.  This is the only PART activity being canceled at this time; until further notice, the monthly Saturday breakfast (next scheduled for April 4) is still on, and the weekly Owl Diner breakfasts will be held as desired by the attendees.

Items of interest for PART members regarding COVID-19 will be posted on the WB1GOF.org website.

PART is still conducting other activities, and even if there is an epidemic going around, this great hobby of ours provides plenty of ways to interact.  Some suggestions include:

1. Monitor the WB1GOF repeater.  It’s possible that some of our members will be in quarantine, and they may need help with groceries or other tasks.  They may just want to hear a friendly voice.  Be sure your HT batteries are charged. If you need help and you can’t reach someone on the phone, get on the air and let someone know.

2. At the ragchew after the Sunday night net, offer suggestions or help in dealing with local issues.  Since there’s no club meeting in March, we can hold a “virtual meeting” after the net.

3. I’ve heard rumors that foxes may soon be on the loose.  This is ideal fox hunting weather (reasonably warm, and no ticks), and the foxes are eager to be running wild after being cooped up all winter.  A walk in the woods is great exercise, and there’s virtually no chance of picking up the Coronavirus.  If you’re not a fox hunter, the club’s hunters would be happy to give you a demonstration — join the NE Massachusetts Fox Hunter users group at: https://groups.io/g/NEMassFoxHunters and read the PART Fox Hunting guide at: http://www.wb1gof.org/activities/Foxing/.

4. The CQ-World Wide WPX (SSB) contest is the weekend of March 28-29.  Check out the rules at: https://www.cqwpx.com/rules.htm and join in the fun.

Coping with the epidemic is going to be a challenge for the community and the nation, but challenges like this are what ham radio is for. Let’s do this together.

—
George  K1IG
PART President
WB1GOF.org

Gardner H. Winchester II, KA1BTK, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

In light of Governor Baker’s Declared State of Emergency to Support the Commonwealth’s Response to the Coronavirus <https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-declares-state-of-emergency-to-support-commonwealths-response-to-coronavirus>,  I am going to cancel the Tuesday Night Open House at CAARA until further notice.  You can use the facility at your own discretion but please follow safety guidelines and keep gatherings to a minimum, 6 or less. Elderly and those with reduced immune systems should refrain from visiting at all times, until the all clear is given.  Please keep in touch and connected via our repeaters, the Gloucester 2-meter machine at 145.130 MHz with a PL tone of 107.2 Hz, and our 70-cm System Fusion Digital machine at 443.700 MHz with  a PL tone of 107.2 Hz.  This digital machine is also connected to several other repeaters through out New England.

Frank Ventura, N1FMV, writes:

Hi all, with the Governor calling a state of emergency I think it is best to hunker down and stay safe. We were supposed to meet at the Zola center this Saturday. I think we should call off our March meeting and wait this thing out. Here are the dates of our upcoming meetings:

April 25

May 23

June 20

CAARA President Hank McCarl, W4RIG, writes on March 11, 2020:

 

With Bill sick and not able to cook the special dinner, the requests from the Governor of the Commonwealth, and advice from several CAARA Board members I believe we should cancel both the Board and Members Meetings on this coming Saturday March 14.  Let me know if you have any objections – keep in touch via the repeater.

The next Members Meeting of the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association will be held at 12 noon at the clubhouse at 6 Stanwood Street, Gloucester, MA. See map and directions to the site.

The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association is an ARRL-affiliated club whose mission includes: providing health and safety communication services for emergencies and disasters on Cape Ann and in other areas when requested, educate and train new amateur radio operators and to maintain a well-tuned disaster team, conduct FCC testing for new licenses and those wishing to upgrade, provide educational services and demonstrations to local area schools and community organizations such as the Boy Scouts, conduct public demonstrations and educational events, assist public utilities in finding radio frequency interferences that could potentially harm or hinder emergency communication activities, and create a positive, supportive environment for our members that promotes camaraderie and fellowship.

I have decided to cancel the March AARC meeting after consulting with the officers.

Much of our club membership falls into the CDC-identified vulnerable population which has been advised by federal and state agencies to minimize contact to reduce risk of exposure to novel-coronavirus.  Gov. Baker declared a state of emergency this afternoon, and many companies and educational institutions are restricting domestic travel, large meetings, and offsite meetings. 

There is no reason to make a decision regarding the April meeting at this point.  If the situation continues, we have time to investigate streaming or other remote meeting options for April.

I also encourage members to check into the weekly club net, Sundays at 1900 on 446.675, PL 88.5.

Thanks,

Mike, w1ku
AARC acting president

The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will meet on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Jim Idelson, K1IR, will present on tower safety.

AARC meetings are held at 7:30 PM in the library of the 1st Lt. Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School in Marlborough, 25 Union Avenue. Use Door #1 at rear of building.

Hey Everyone,

I know that in light of the college asking everyone to leave campus by Sunday, a lot of plans are in flux.  During these uncertain times our emergency preparedness skills are as important as they ever have been.  Given that we expect an attendance of less than 25 people today, our meeting and elections this evening will still take place as planned.  I encourage all underclassmen to consider running for a position.  Radios have arrived and will be distributed.

 

Allen Liu, KC1HBB  

Allen Liu, KC1HBB, writes on the HWC mailing list:

The wireless club will be meeting at our shack on Linden Street [in Cambridge] at 7 PM on Tuesday, March 10th.  We will be having elections for next year’s board and handing out radios to licensed members who have not yet received theirs.  There will be food (likely pizza).  […]